Stupidity is fatal.
Dedicated to those who value professionalism over profanity, analysis over angst, and objectivity over outrage.
Waleed Hanafi's review of books, technology, politics, music, life in Singapore, and anything else that catches my fancy.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

A curse for any writer is to be consigned to the science fiction category. This immediately limits the exposure and audience for his work, and ensures that he won't make as much money from his labours as he would have with a thriller or other designation.

I don't know how John Twelve Hawks feels about being labelled as a science fiction writer, but he could just as usefully be described as a social commentator. The Traveler is a great read. The plot, characters, and descriptive prose are excellent. The fact that there are science fiction elements should not put off anyone interested in the implications of the war on terror and the erosion of civil liberties.

This is a book that holds the reader's interest from beginning to end, entertaining with a fresh and original take on some very old and important issues.